Road Test: Fiat 500L Trekking South Africa

Fiat 500L Trekking 2015 review South Africa

We can’t imagine how underpowered the old Fiat 500L must have been with a 1.4-litre normally aspirated engine but it received the attention of Fiat HQ who acted by sorting the latest Fiat 500L with a turbo charged engine of the same displacement. In no small way this literally transforms the car.

The Fiat 500L Trekking model, as we had on test, has other changes from the standard 500L and looks all the more macho for it. Besides the Ferrari Yellow paint there’s contrasting black trim on the lower edges and aluminium scuff plates fore and aft. There’s ample ground clearance and snazzy 17-inch wheels in all-weather rubber but front-wheel drive means you won’t stray too far from national roads. Visual connections to the Mini Countryman are undeniable although the 500L is slightly longer and taller. At 1245kg we’d even call it light. We’re not sure about the looks, but then again feel the same about the Mini Countryman’s and we won’t attempt to make any stylistic comparisons with a regular Fiat 500.

The 1.4-litre T-Jet engine is a revelation, especially if you’ve been subjected to the hapless non-turbo edition. There’s a slightly modest 88kW and 215Nm but that’s a full 20kW and 88Nm improvement with fuel and C02 savings that go with it.  A six-speed manual gearbox with the best clutch feel in the business makes city driving a pleasure.

Inside you’ll identify the 500L Trekking by the Traction control button near the gearlever but otherwise you get the same leather/cloth combo and 6.5-inch UConnect centre screen which streams music and quickly syncs phones. Ventilation controls are identical to the ones employed by the Alfa Giulietta and they’re lovely to look at and swivel but in the Fiat 500L, positioned slightly afar for comfortable use.

Headroom and rear legroom is the car’s strong selling point and rear seats slide on rails and tumble forwards for added versatility. With them all the way back the boot isn’t huge but chances are you’ll find a combination that works. A myriad storage space helps maximise practicality.  We were also slightly disappointed by the visibility which is obscured by the split A-pillar and you need to raise the seat quite high to see the edge of the bonnet. A reverse camera would also help but there are beeping sensors.

The Fiat Punto platform has been widened for interior practicality but with that large body plonked above normal-duty springs, one needn’t take corners abruptly to induce signs of squishy bodyroll. If you want taut, car-like handling the Fiat 500L Trekking misses the mark but for targeted buyers the suspension provides a soothing ride while the cabin has extremely low NVH levels – commendable given the bluff design of the Fiat 500L.

With the turbo engine the Fiat 500L goes a long way to realising its potential and compared to the Countryman, a worthy inexpensive alternative with personality befitting a Italian car backed by solid mechanics. It isn’t perfect but when you get into a crowded parking lot and you see this awkward Yellow Box standing above the rest, you’ll fall in love with the charm.

Comments

comments